St. Peters Criminal Defense Attorney Blogtag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2009-12-03://122852013-11-01T17:54:02ZCriminal law blog for the Weber Law Firm, L.C., in St. Peters, Missouri. Call 636-487-4139 or toll free at 888-312-6234 for more info.Movable Type Enterprise 4.32-enStudent gets jail time for Internet crimestag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.8228252013-11-01T17:55:02Z2013-11-01T17:54:02Z A 25-year-old former student at Lindenwood University has received a 90-day jail term in connection with alleged Internet crimes. The man, from St. Charles, Missouri, must also pay financial restitution to the university for publishing confidential student data, according...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
A 25-year-old former student at Lindenwood University has received a 90-day jail term in connection with alleged Internet crimes. The man, from St. Charles, Missouri, must also pay financial restitution to the university for publishing confidential student data, according to news reports, as well as a fine to the St. Charles County unit that investigated the crime.

In addition to those penalties, the man will not be able to return to the campus, and he must pen a letter of apology to the Lindenwood student body. That admission will be published in school media sources, including the student newspaper. He is also subject to a 2-year probation term.

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The man had pleaded guilty to tampering with a computer user, along with two counts of tampering with computer data. In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop an additional charge alleging that the man had assaulted a police officer while a search warrant was being executed. Details of that incident were not provided.

Authorities report that the alleged violations began in March 2012, when information for nearly 200 students was released through Twitter and other Internet file-sharing systems. That information contained personal data for students who had been suspended from the university during the previous semester. It is not clear why the man started using the anonymous method for sharing the students' information in the dubiously named LindenLeaks incident.

The defendant in this case was able to receive a fairly lenient sentence, spending just three months' time in custody for the Internet violations. In this case, the defendant chose to plead guilty in exchange for a reduced set of charges and even perhaps a reduced sentence. Criminal defense attorneys can help defendants decide whether a guilty plea is the right decision for their cases.

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Men facing charges for synthetic pot saletag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.8130272013-10-25T14:32:26Z2013-10-25T14:31:26Z Two Missouri men have pleaded not guilty to drug charges in connection with the alleged sale of synthetic marijuana. The men, ages 44 and 51, are facing a 21-count indictment in connection with the case. Those charges include distributing...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
Two Missouri men have pleaded not guilty to drug charges in connection with the alleged sale of synthetic marijuana. The men, ages 44 and 51, are facing a 21-count indictment in connection with the case. Those charges include distributing drugs and drug paraphernalia, along with conspiracy. The younger man is also accused of money laundering, while the older is accused of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Interestingly, federal law does not expressly prohibit the sale of many of the synthetic substances, as listing the chemical compositions of potential copy-cat substances would be an overwhelming task. Instead, federal investigators are able to press charges if the substances are chemically or pharmacologically similar to other prohibited drugs.

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The question, then, arises: Are the substances sold by the defendants even categorized as illegal?

The men are accused of selling the drugs and paraphernalia through their jointly owned store, Bocomo Bay. Instead of selling traditional drugs, however, the men are accused of peddling synthetic products with similar chemical compositions as street drugs. The most common drug to be replicated is marijuana, with synthetic alternatives abounding throughout the industry. These products often consist of plant matter that has been sprayed with a chemical substance similar to marijuana. The synthetic drugs, which come in a variety of scents and flavors, are often marketed as incense to disguise their true use.

So far, the federal indictment in the case is seeking to force the men to surrender millions in profits, along with a number of items from their store. The men could also be forced to surrender the 76 guns allegedly found in their possession.

Synthetic marijuana and other similar drugs are coming under additional scrutiny from state and federal courts. Cases such as this will help decide the precedent for the future treatment of defendants accused of selling the substances. A qualified criminal defense attorney can help defendants learn more about their rights in light of these uncertain charges.

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Mother cleared in child's trash bin deathtag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.8053962013-10-18T15:25:23Z2013-10-18T15:24:23Z A St. Louis woman who was accused of several felony crimes after allegedly dropping her toddler in a trash bin has been cleared of all wrongdoing. The woman, who was slated to go to trial for first-degree murder and...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
A St. Louis woman who was accused of several felony crimes after allegedly dropping her toddler in a trash bin has been cleared of all wrongdoing. The woman, who was slated to go to trial for first-degree murder and child abuse in late October, has had all charges dismissed in connection with the case. Now, an internal investigation is pending against a local police officer who is suspected of compromising the evidence in the case.

Authorities report that the 30-year-old woman was charged with the death of her 18-month-old son after he was found dead in a trash bin behind her apartment building. The toddler had suffered serious injuries as the result of a beating, according to officers, who noted that the child's brain, neck and ribs had been injured. Further investigation showed that the baby's liver was lacerated and he began bleeding internally.

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Specific information about the case's dismissal has not been released, as the department has a policy of keeping such information confidential when a case is closed. The mother is no longer a suspect in the case, and police officers are encouraging anyone with information about the death to come forward.

The case is still under investigation, as an officer related to the inquiry was found to have withheld information during the initial proceedings. Officers never pursued a case against the woman's ex-boyfriend, according to courtroom records, because the statements about that man's whereabouts were never communicated to homicide detectives. The boyfriend reportedly admitted to killing the toddler during the early stages of the investigation.

This case shows the value of a fair legal system that will protect and promote the rights of criminal suspects. When further evidence came forward, legal officials appropriately cleared the defendant of all wrongdoing. Now, the mother can mourn the loss of her child while maintaining hope that the real criminal will be caught and punished for the baby's death.

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Man facing weapons charges after road ragetag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.7989812013-10-11T13:48:41Z2013-10-11T13:47:41Z A Missouri man is facing criminal charges in connection with a road-rage incident that occurred in Lincoln County on Oct. 5. The man, age 23, is accused of first-degree assault in connection with the incident, which happened when the...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
A Missouri man is facing criminal charges in connection with a road-rage incident that occurred in Lincoln County on Oct. 5. The man, age 23, is accused of first-degree assault in connection with the incident, which happened when the man fired a pistol at another vehicle. In addition to the assault charges, the man faces allegations of unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest.

Authorities report the defendant is accused of tailgating a vehicle with three 18-year-old occupants. The man reportedly flashed his lights at the other driver, so the young people pulled into the slow lane to accommodate his desire to go faster. As the man pulled past the vehicle, he made an obscene gesture at the other driver. After the man had passed, the occupants of the other vehicle said they found him waiting for them at an overpass. The defendant drove next to the younger driver at a slow rate of speed and pulled out a gun, which he aimed at the passenger in the front seat, according to police officers. Luckily, the shot did not strike an occupant, but it did damage the front end of the car.

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The occupants of the other vehicle contacted police officers as soon as the man sped away. He was then confronted by officers on Highway 61. When the man got out of his vehicle, he appeared to be reaching for something in his pockets. He then fled into a nearby cornfield on foot. Authorities finally apprehended the man during the early-morning hours, after he had been hiding in the cornfield for some time. He admitted to having a pistol in his pocket, but he said he lost it in the field. In addition, three weapons were found in the man's car.

Fortunately, no one in the car was harmed in the incident. The man admitted to possessing a gun, but it is not clear whether he has admitted to firing the shot. In such weapons crimes cases, defendants can benefit from the advice of a qualified criminal defense attorney, who can help them learn more about their rights and responsibilities in court.

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Sheriff says he didn't commit sexual misconducttag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.7902632013-10-04T18:17:35Z2013-10-04T18:16:35Z A sheriff from central Missouri is facing a variety of criminal charges after he was accused of sexual harassment, stalking and assault. The 27-year-old man, who serves as the sheriff in Osage County, contends that the allegations have no...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
A sheriff from central Missouri is facing a variety of criminal charges after he was accused of sexual harassment, stalking and assault. The 27-year-old man, who serves as the sheriff in Osage County, contends that the allegations have no basis in fact, and some even believe that the charges may have some political motivation.

Authorities report the man allegedly harassed a woman who had been at a party with him in June. That woman had traveled with the man on an emergency call to break up a fight at a tire store. The woman alleges that the defendant used his flashlight to touch her in an intimate way while she was assisting with that call. In addition, the woman has accused the defendant of coming to her house and bothering her fianc? when she was not home. In fact, she was so afraid that he might be at her house that she drew her gun when she returned one morning. The man also is accused of making offensive sexual comments to the victim.

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The man's attorney adamantly argues that his client is not guilty of the charges put before him. In fact, the sheriff says that he implemented a variety of strict procedures since he was elected to office; he believes that the charges may be a form of retaliation for the changes he has made since he took over operations in the county. Some of the employees may be disgruntled because of the new rules, he said.

In this case, the sheriff does not deserve to be retaliated against simply because he made changes to the department. It is relatively easy for people to bring allegations of sexual misconduct, especially if others were not around at the time of the assaults. Defendants in sexual assault cases deserve the full protection of the courts because of the sometimes dubious nature of these allegations.

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Man shoots car after yard is paperedtag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.7815322013-09-27T11:57:33Z2013-09-27T11:56:33Z A man from St. Charles, Missouri, is facing charges for felony crimes after he brandished and fired a shotgun at people who were toilet-papering his yard. The man, age 51, was reportedly irate when he noticed the group on...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
A man from St. Charles, Missouri, is facing charges for felony crimes after he brandished and fired a shotgun at people who were toilet-papering his yard. The man, age 51, was reportedly irate when he noticed the group on Sept. 21 after his wife brought the activity to his attention. He is now facing charges of discharging a weapon at a motor vehicle in connection with the incident.

Authorities report that the man's wife noticed several people with toilet paper in the couple's front yard at about 11:30 p.m. When the man knocked on the window, the trespassers fled back into their vehicles. At that point, the man ran into the house to fetch the gun. He ran outside, brandishing the weapon and pointing at several vehicles without firing. It appears that the man may have mistaken a neighbor returning home for a member of the toilet-papering party, however, shooting her vehicle instead. The 61-year-old woman was driving her 64-year-old sister and another 26-year-old passenger at the time of the incident. When the woman attempted to drive around the defendant as he stood in the road, he struck her vehicle with his hand and then shot the small SUV.

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The woman did not notice that her vehicle had been shot until she pulled into her garage, where she found that one of her tires had been deflated. Shortly after the incident, the man was arrested and bail was set at $20,000. He admitted to shooting the woman's vehicle because he thought the car was full of toilet-paperers returning to the scene of their alleged crime.

In this case, the man has already admitted that he discharged the firearm in his neighborhood. Criminal defense attorneys in the case can ensure that the defendant's rights are protected as he goes through the legal process, which could include punishment such as jail time and fines. Every criminal defendant deserves adequate representation in court.

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City leaders' gun court efforts stymiedtag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.7745442013-09-20T15:38:59Z2013-09-20T15:37:59Z Even though St. Louis city leaders had expressed interest in creating a specific court for weapons crimes related to assault, robbery and a variety of other charges, Missouri judges have rejected the legislators' proposals. The judges agree that expedited...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
Even though St. Louis city leaders had expressed interest in creating a specific court for weapons crimes related to assault, robbery and a variety of other charges, Missouri judges have rejected the legislators' proposals. The judges agree that expedited handling of these cases is in everyone's best interest. As a result, they pledge to speed the proceedings for those accused of weapons crimes and first-degree robbery charges. Still, the more comprehensive reforms proposed by city leaders conflict with the proper handling of the cases, according to the judiciary, who chided the politicians for getting too involved in judicial affairs.

The changes would have created a special court specifically for weapons crimes. Known as the "Armed Offender Docket," the division would have been overseen by two designated judges. Politicians in the area said the changes would have provided for swifter processing of the 600 to 700 weapons-related cases that come through the St. Louis courts each year. In addition, the opportunity would have encouraged judges to be more accountable, and it would have given a more accurate research base for academic professionals who want to study the crimes.

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Official reports show that the judges instead decided to adopt a modified version of the plan, which instead expedites certain types of cases by moving them to the top of the docket. Automatic continuances are unlikely to be granted to those facing weapons crimes in the future, and the cases will be handled with more speed and accuracy. This is a less-invasive option that will still allow the court to maintain their traditional work process while simply improving some aspects of the system.

So, what does this mean for defendants facing weapons charges? Those cases will be treated with far more urgency and speed than in the past, largely with the goal of removing dangerous gun users from the St. Louis population. These changes could have a significant impact on criminal defense cases, which is why all defendants should consult their qualified attorneys about the implications of the new system.

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Weapons bill would protect criminal defendantstag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.7664952013-09-13T15:08:27Z2013-09-13T15:07:27Z Three indictments filed in August and September in the St. Louis, Missouri, area have resulted in the filing of weapons and drug charges against 25 local residents. The defendants are accused of felony crimes in connection with the operation...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
Three indictments filed in August and September in the St. Louis, Missouri, area have resulted in the filing of weapons and drug charges against 25 local residents. The defendants are accused of felony crimes in connection with the operation of a methamphetamine distribution ring, which prosecutors allege dates back to Oct. 2010. Several people who were indicted are members of the same motorcycle group, the Saddle Tramps Motorcycle Club.

News outlets report that the indictments come at an appropriate time. Even as the methamphetamine ring members are facing criminal charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office in St. Louis released a statement opposing the expansion of gun rights for individual citizens. That office is formally speaking out against a measure that would make it a misdemeanor for federal officials to infringe upon Missourians' rights to bear arms. That bill would ban the practice of publishing the names of gun owners, along with lowering the age restriction for concealed weapons and allowing select school personnel to be armed.

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The measure is relevant because if it were in place today, the defendants who were just indicted would be able to sue the law enforcement officers associated with the case. The bill would give extra legal protection to local residents accused of crimes, along with providing more freedom for the general public. The bill passed through the Missouri legislature, but the governor vetoed the measure. Now, an override vote is being considered to negate the governor's actions.

Those named in the indictment range in age from 27 to 66. All but one of the defendants hail from the St. Louis region. One is from Texas. It is not clear whether the actions to pass the contested bill will have an impact on the existing case against these defendants, but it could protect others accused of similar crimes in the future.

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Priest gets 3-year term for child porntag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.7596302013-09-06T16:01:10Z2013-09-06T16:00:10Z A priest from the St. Louis Archdiocese has been sentenced to a 37-month prison term after pleading guilty to several Internet sex crimes. The man, age 37, admitted on Aug. 30 that he had stored child pornography on his...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
A priest from the St. Louis Archdiocese has been sentenced to a 37-month prison term after pleading guilty to several Internet sex crimes. The man, age 37, admitted on Aug. 30 that he had stored child pornography on his computer. He further confessed to sending graphic sexual images to a minor boy. Investigators reported finding 20 images of child pornography on the man's computer, along with several pictures of male genitals.

The defendant was sentenced immediately, a relatively unusual occurrence. In general, criminal defendants go through a plea hearing and then a subsequent sentencing hearing.

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Official reports show that the man blames his actions on alcoholism. The priest said he would not have committed the crimes if he did not depend upon alcohol. The man is now enrolled in Alcoholics Anonymous, which he can likely continue during his stint in the federal penitentiary. He has pledged to work on his personal faith and morality during his time in prison.

The Catholic church has stopped paying the man since he pleaded guilty. Now, his case will be forwarded to Vatican officials to determine whether the man should be effectively removed from his position as a priest. The man has been on administrative leave from his post at St. Cecilia Parish on Louisiana Ave. since June 2011, when the sex offense allegations first surfaced. The man had been under fire for receiving and distributing inappropriate material through Internet channels.

Parents in the parish are reportedly furious about the man's actions, but they were pleased at the length of his sentence. Despite the feelings of the parishioners, the man still received a fair legal proceeding. He was given the opportunity to enter a guilty plea, and it appears that he will get the help he needs to cure his substance abuse problems during the prison term. Defendants in the American judicial system deserve an unbiased proceeding, no matter which charges they face.

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Missouri legislator under fire for pot possessiontag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.7515012013-08-30T15:10:46Z2013-08-30T15:09:46Z A Missouri state representative has resigned from one of his posts after he was arrested for drug charges in August. The man, age 33, had held a major leadership position in the state government, heading up the House Democrats'...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
A Missouri state representative has resigned from one of his posts after he was arrested for drug charges in August. The man, age 33, had held a major leadership position in the state government, heading up the House Democrats' fundraising efforts. He was arrested on Aug. 25 when officers discovered the drug in his vehicle after a routine traffic stop. The man had reportedly failed to pay for a previous traffic citation, which prompted the confrontation with officers.

The man is accused of possessing less than 1.2 ounces of marijuana. He was also said to be in possession of a pipe.

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Even though the man has resigned as the leader of the Democrats' fundraising efforts, it is important to realize that he has not abandoned his post in the state government. The freshman legislator contends that the charges could have been a distraction in the fundraising role, though he does not believe that the allegations will prevent him from doing his civic duty. Meanwhile, conservative Republicans are calling for the man's seat in the legislature, saying that he has broken serious laws and should step down. Remember, the man has simply been accused, not convicted.

Even state and national legislators make mistakes. In this instance, however, the man has conceded that he made a poor decision, but he stresses that he was not driving under the influence of the drug. In addition, the man said that he expects to be treated fairly and equally, just like every other Missouri resident who faces marijuana possession charges.

Many Americans face marijuana possession charges without losing their jobs. In this case, it is debatable whether the Republican representatives have a case against the man, especially considering that he has been neither convicted nor sentenced. The man has insisted that he expects fair treatment, which he has a right to receive in the American court system.

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Man attempts to abduct girl from porchtag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.7452102013-08-23T15:33:19Z2013-08-23T15:32:19Z Authorities report the 20-year-old man who nearly succeeded in abducting a child in the St. Louis, Missouri, area claims that a voice told him to snatch the girl. The young man, who is known to have a history of...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
Authorities report the 20-year-old man who nearly succeeded in abducting a child in the St. Louis, Missouri, area claims that a voice told him to snatch the girl. The young man, who is known to have a history of violent behavior, is facing felony charges in the case. He is accused of felony child kidnapping, an offense that could lead to a 10- to 30-year jail term.

Authorities report the man grabbed the girl in front of a Wentzville home during the lunch-time hour on Aug. 18. The girl was sitting on a porch with a friend when the man approached them. When he suddenly grabbed the 7-year-old, her mother gave chase. The man reportedly dropped the girl on a lawn and fled the scene, leaving the alleged victim unharmed.

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The man was apprehended by police shortly after the incident. He is said to have admitted that he took the girl because he wanted to harm someone, though he could not explain his motivation for doing so. Sadly, the man had been released from jail just 10 days before attempting to take the girl. He allegedly choked his sister several times. She was able to grab her child and escape from the home. The defendant said he felt like he lost control during that incident. His bail had been set at $15,000 in connection with that offense, but a judge lowered the amount to permit his release.

The man's bail in this case has been set at $200,000.

If you are facing felony charges, you may be uncertain about your rights and responsibilities in the case. The best course of action is to seek the assistance of a qualified professional attorney. These lawyers can help you learn about your legal options, protecting your interests in court from arraignment through sentencing and beyond. You do not have to face criminal charges on your own; enlist the help of your qualified attorney today.

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Man accused of abusing 73-year-old wifetag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.7284232013-08-16T17:05:54Z2013-08-16T17:04:54Z A 58-year-old Missouri man is facing criminal charges after he allegedly left his sick wife in a recliner for several days. The man is accused of several felony crimes in connection with the incident, in which he allegedly left...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
A 58-year-old Missouri man is facing criminal charges after he allegedly left his sick wife in a recliner for several days. The man is accused of several felony crimes in connection with the incident, in which he allegedly left his emaciated 73-year-old wife in a chair for so long that she developed bedsores. He is officially charged with second-degree elder abuse.

The home in which the woman was found was said to have been squalid; maggots, flies, cockroaches and other vermin were discovered throughout the building. In addition, the entire house was cluttered and unclean, posing even more difficulties for paramedics and technicians who were called to assist the woman. The man contended that the woman simply stopped talking and became immobile. He said he considered calling for help, but her condition worsened so rapidly that he did not know what to do, and he simply gave up.

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Emergency responders reported that the woman weighed just 70 pounds and had several critical health conditions when they arrived at the couple's home. Not only did the woman develop serious bedsores on her lower body, but she also was diagnosed with a skin infection and appeared to be unkempt. The recliner was reportedly covered with the woman's feces and urine.

The man acknowledged that he tried to clean his wife and change her clothes on three recent occasions. He also admitted that the vermin infestation was unacceptable and abnormal, according to police reports.

In this instance, it is possible that the man is suffering from some kind of mental illness that would lead him to this criminal course of action. News reports have not confirmed that the man acted with malicious intent, though prosecutors are seeking a $100,000 bond in the case.

If you are facing criminal charges that you do not understand, consider hiring a qualified criminal defense attorney. These professionals can help you learn about your legal options, including plea decisions, trial and sentencing guidelines. You do not have to suffer through your trial alone. Your experienced lawyer can help guide you throughout your case.

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Man held for attempting to defend hometag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.7227102013-08-09T10:22:24Z2013-08-09T10:21:24Z A Kansas City man is facing felony charges for firing a warning shot in his own home against what he thought was a group of intruders. The man's wife is irate that he is being locked up in the...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
A Kansas City man is facing felony charges for firing a warning shot in his own home against what he thought was a group of intruders. The man's wife is irate that he is being locked up in the case. Normally, a home invasion does not lead to the arrest of the homeowner; in this situation, though, the home invaders were police officers themselves.

The 46-year-old man is charged with assault on a law enforcement officer in connection with the shooting on July 23. He is currently being held in custody, unable to work or provide for his family. Officers had come to the man's home that evening to seek out a relative of the family who had witnessed another shooting.

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The man's wife explains that he had a strong reaction to the officers banging on his door late at night, largely because the family home had been sprayed with bullets less than a week earlier. In that incident, nine bullets struck the house, with five of those smashing through the front window. Two members of the family were sitting in the living room when the shooting occurred; those teens were nearly struck with the bullets. When the man saw movement outside his window and heard the violent pounding, he feared that the earlier attackers had come back, so he took drastic action.

Missouri law permits individuals to defend their homes and families, but the shooter must feel threatened and have good reason to open fire. In this situation, officers say they announced themselves twice before they heard the gunshot. It appears that the officers startled the family in the middle of the night, and no one inside the home could make out the words that were being shouted. As a result, they say they had no idea the police were outside.

If you are facing similarly unreasonable charges for attempting to defend your home, consider seeking the assistance of a qualified criminal defense attorney. These professionals can help you learn more about your courtroom rights and responsibilities.

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Man gets 6 months for drunk driving deathtag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.7170382013-08-02T14:17:28Z2013-08-02T14:16:28Z A tragic tale of two Brandons has resulted in drunk driving charges for one man after the other was killed. The driver and the victim, both named Brandon, met over drinks during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2012. Now, the...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
A tragic tale of two Brandons has resulted in drunk driving charges for one man after the other was killed. The driver and the victim, both named Brandon, met over drinks during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2012. Now, the at-fault driver has received his sentence: Six months' jail time.

Official reports indicate both of the men had been in trouble with the law for drunk driving in the past. The victim, age 26, was still on probation after a DWI charge. The 28-year-old driver was spending time in a federal drunk driving program after a park ranger nabbed him when his vehicle blew a tire and he blew a 0.213 percent BAC. Shortly after the pair's fateful meeting, they both decided to depart from the bar. It was then that tragedy struck. As the younger man was walking away from the establishment, he stumbled into the street. The older Brandon struck the victim and then drove away. The horrifying incident was caught by a security camera.

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The victim died at the scene. He reportedly suffered from acute alcohol intoxication, as well. The driver in the case admitted to police that he had consumed several beverages at the bar that night, including mixed drinks and beer. His BAC was measured at 0.24 percent. That value is three times the legal limit for driving.

In this instance, the driver was able to escape manslaughter charges because of state-specific laws. In Missouri, a driver has to be demonstrating some other negligent act, not just drunk driving, in order to sustain manslaughter charges. A thorough investigation showed the driver was not breaking the law in any other way. As a result, he was only sentenced for misdemeanor DWI. Prosecutors admitted the situation was unfortunate, but they are bound to uphold the legal structure mandated by the state.

In this case, the driver will spend just six months in jail, and he will not suffer from a felony conviction. A simple DWI arrest and even a resulting tragedy does not have to derail your future under Missouri law. If you are facing drunk-driving charges, contact a criminal defense attorney today.

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Convicted looters avoid jail timetag:www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com,2013://12285.7092892013-07-26T15:33:27Z2013-07-26T15:32:27Z Two Missouri residents have been granted a relatively light sentence in connection with felony charges for looting in the Joplin area after a devastating tornado. The men, ages 32 and 45, had pleaded guilty to stealing copper wire from...Weber Law Firm, L.C.http://www.stcharlescriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/mt-bin/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=12285&id=12701
Two Missouri residents have been granted a relatively light sentence in connection with felony charges for looting in the Joplin area after a devastating tornado. The men, ages 32 and 45, had pleaded guilty to stealing copper wire from the town's streets during the aftermath of the deadly weather event that struck in May 2011. The official charge in the case was stealing wire from a public utility.

Instead of facing hard time, the pair will be placed on supervised probation for a period of five years. The men's actual seven-year prison sentence has been suspended. If they violate their probation, they could be sent back into federal custody.

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Authorities report the pair, along with another 34-year-old man, cut wire from the Empire District Electric Company. Officers observed the group taking the wire by using bolt cutters, loading the wire into their vehicles. The men were found with a full load of copper wire while driving a truck with the logo of a food-distribution company. In addition, the men allegedly told police they not only had permission to take the wire, but they would also donate any money earned from the sale of the items to a charitable cause.

The third defendant also pleaded guilty in the case, but he has been ordered to serve three years' prison time in connection with his misdeeds.

In this case, it is obvious to see the difference in the skill levels between one defendant's attorney and the other. Not only did the two men in question avoid jail altogether, but they were sentenced to simple probation when a co-defendant was required to serve hard time. Criminal defense attorneys can help such defendants by developing legal strategies to promote positive outcomes such as probation.

If you are facing similar criminal charges, consider seeking the assistance of a qualified criminal defense attorney. These professionals can help you learn more about your legal rights and responsibilities, allowing you to make educated choices about your courtroom options.